"She was very kind, gentle, always willing to help and she was one of those people who was easy to talk to and always had a smile on her face," Spades said.

Fitzpatrick was a Boylan Catholic High School class of 1966 graduate. She married former Rockford Police Chief William T. Fitzpatrick in April 1987 and was a grandmother, who enjoyed traveling and interior decorating according to the post.

She was a member of the National Organization of Police Women and the Police Benevolent and Protective Association.

The post said that a private funeral was being planned and that memorials may be made to the Rockford Police Chaplain Division, 420 W. State St., Rockford.